crime

Tyler Thomas Aldinger, 17, of Townline Road, Attica, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd (more than $250 in damages), petit larceny and trespass. Tyler is accused on trespassing on property on Attica Road in Alexander and cutting up farm property and taking it for scrap. The alleged incident was reported at 12:24 p.m., Thursday. Arrested with Tyler was Daniel Joseph Ognibene, 17, of Alexander Road, Alexander. Daniel was charged with petit larceny and trespass.

Marcos A. Torres, 28, of Jackson Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Torres was arrested following a traffic stop at 3 p.m. Tuesday on Route 98, Town of Batavia. Torres was jailed on $800 bail.

Batavia Police released further information on the people arrested during the May 19 neighborhood enforcement sweep we reported on yesterday.

Jacqueline R. Garrett, 32, 9850 Old Creek Road., Alexander. Arrest on a charge of criminal sale of marijuana, 5th, after Local Drug Task Force members reportedly witnessed a transaction at 99 Jackson St.

Edgar Perez, 26, 110 Jackson St., Batavia. Arrested on a superior court arrest warrant out of Orleans County.

Joseph C. Wind, 41, 5469 Horseshoe Lake Road., Batavia. Arrested on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. All as the result of a traffic stop for driving without headlights. A passenger in the car was a subject being supervised by, and of interest to, NYS Parole.

Thomas J. Mitchell, 21, 6 Oak St., Batavia. Arrested on charges of  criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Mitchell was reportedly picked up as the result of a traffic stop in connection with the car allegedly attempting to avoid police by entering BOCES property after leaving an address of interest to NYS Parole.

Pictured: Derick Barker, Justin Barker, Benjamin Santiago

Three people who allegedly refused to leave a Batavia hotel room Wednesday afternoon, including one who fled from police leading to a multi-agency manhunt, are in jail without bail following an investigation that allegedly uncovered drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Arrested were Justin Z. Barker, 22, and Benjamin Santiago Jr., 22, both of North Lyon Street, Batavia, and Derick Wayne Barker, 25, of Tera Boulevard, Jonesboro, Ga.

Derick Barker is the suspect accused of fleeing from Officer Dan Coffey, running across the Thruway and trying to hide in a farm field shortly before 1 p.m.  

While Coffey stayed with Justin Barker and Santiago to ensure they stayed in custody, he reportedly observed Derick Barker run to a Dodge Durango, grab something out of it, and run toward the Thruway toll booths.

Additional Batavia police officers along with Sheriff's deputies and state troopers descended on the area and Derick Barker was allegedly observed running into the field. 

A State Police helicopter was called in, which helped flush Barker out of hiding and he was immediately taken into custody.

Police officers on scene were concerned that Barker had grabbed a gun from the Durango and a search was conducted of the field for the possible weapon. The Sheriff's Office press release makes no mention of a weapon being found.

Derick Barker allegedly ran while Coffey conducted a wants and warrants check, which uncovered a violation of probation warrant out of Georgia.

Stemming from Wednesday's incident, Barker was charged with obstructing governmental administration.

Justin Barker was wanted on a warrant out of the Town of Oakfield Court for alleged criminal contempt.

While in the hotel room at Days Inn with Justin Barker and Santiago, Coffey allegedly observed a small glassine baggie on the floor that appeared to contain a controlled substance.

Members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force responded to the scene and conducted a search and further investigation.

Derick Barker was charged with one count of criminal trespass, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia.

Justin Barker was charged with one count of criminal trespass, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia.

Benjamin Santiago was charged with one count of criminal trespass, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia and one count of unlawful possession of marijuana.

A combined law enforcement task force conducted a sweep in the City of Batavia on May 19 looking for subjects wanted on warrants and to check for possible parole and probation violations.

In all, four people were arrested and six people were allegedly found in violation of probation restrictions.

The sweep, conducted by the Neighborhood Enforcement Team Detail, was part of the city's strategic plan for public safety, according to Chief Randy Baker.

Participating in the task force were officers and detectives of the Batavia Police Department, members of the Sheriff's Office, city code enforcement officers, City fire personnel, members of the District Attorney's Office, Local Drug Task Force detectives and the Department of Social Services.

One person was arrested for allegedly selling marijuana on Jackson Street.

Two people people were arrested on felony warrants.

One parolee was arrested for allegedly possessing a controlled substance and driving without a license.

The names of those arrested have not been released.

In all, 42 probation contacts were made. Four people were found allegedly in violation of curfew. Two individuals were allegedly found in possession of knives, ammunition, marijuana and K2 synthetic marijuana.

Parole officers checked six locations for parolees and searched three residences.

Baker said there will be additional sweeps by the task force in order to address neighborhood issues.

Jose Luis Morales, 17, of 10 Strathmore Circle, Apt. D, Rochester, is charged with burglary, 3rd. Jose is accused of entering the United Methodist Church, 27 South Lake St., Bergen, at 7:16 a.m. on Jan. 11 without permission and damaging property and stealing items. A warrant was issued out of Town of Bergen Court for Jose's arrest and he turned himself in. He was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Christopher Anthony Pilgrim, 35, of Weston Road, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of controlled substance, 7th, criminal possession of marijuana and speeding. Pilgrim was stopped for allegedly speeding at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday  on Route 490 in Bergen by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Mark Laney, 31, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Laney is accused of violating an order of protection.

Brian Patrick Ogrady, 46, of Lyman Road, Bergen, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, driving left of pavement markings, failed to yield right of way at stop sign and operating without insurance. Ogrady was stopped at 6:10 p.m. Wednesday on Route 237, Byron, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Shawn Richard McGiveron, 22, of Back Street, Pembroke, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and harassment, 2nd. During a domestic incident, McGiveron allegedly obstructed the breathing of a woman and allegedly pushed the woman to the ground. The incident is alleged to have occurred at 11:46 p.m. Wednesday at a residence on Back Street, Pembroke. McGiveron was jailed on $200 bail.

One of three people being questioned by a Batavia police officer at the Days Inn of Oak Street near the Thruway decided to run, leading to a multi-agency manhunt that lasted less than 30 minutes shortly before 1 p.m.

Officer Dan Coffey had been dispatched to the Days Inn to ask three guests who had overstayed their welcome to leave. While doing a wants and warrants check on the three people, one of them took off. Coffey observed the suspect run to a gray Dodge Durango parked behind the hotel and grab something from the vehicle, leading officers to worry that the suspect had grabbed a weapon.

The man, whose identity has not been released yet, then headed toward the Thruway toll booths. At some point, he fell into or ran through a body of water. He then ran across the Thruway near the Route 98 overpass and was last seen in a farm field just north of the Thruway.

By that time, back-up had arrived from the Batavia PD, Sheriff's Office and State Police.  The field was surrounded by officers and the State Police helicopter was called in.

Within minutes of the helicopter arriving, the suspect, who had been lying in the long grass of the field, stood up and tried to run again. He was immediately apprehended by police.

The other two individuals were detained at the hotel, where members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force responded and began conducting a further investigation.

Following the arrest, a search of the field was being conducted by State Troopers, which prompted some discussion of bringing in a weapon sniffing dog, to see what, if anything, the suspect left behind.

Chief Randy Baker said the suspect apparently is wanted in Georgia. The nature of the warrant is not available at this time.

(Initial Report)

Joseph Francis O'Shei, 36, of Stebbins Road, Franklinville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving while ability impaired by a combination of drugs and alcohol, inadequate lights and driving the wrong direction on a one-way street. O'Shei was stopped at 10:35 p.m. Monday in the area of 4126 Route 5, Batavia, by Deputy James Diehl.

Ronald M. Markek, 31, of Allegany Road, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to yield right-of-way to emergency vehicle and improper right turn. Markek was stopped at 1:31 a.m. on Route 77 in Corfu by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Deborah An Dixon-Thatcher, 52, of North Lyons Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Dixon-Thatcher is accused of breaking the windows, headlights and taillights out of her estranged husband's 1997 Nissan pickup truck while it was parked at a residence in Bergen at 1:55 a.m., Monday.

Hope Renee Conibear, 37, of Gibson Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Conibear was reportedly involved in a motor vehicle accident April 23 on Hutton Road, Town of Oakfield. The accident was investigated by Deputy Jason Saile.

Joseph Robert Waala, 38, of North Randolph Street, Arlington, Va., is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Waala allegedly damaged a metal fire hose box at 8250 Park Road, Batavia. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

The following individuals were arrested and charged with trespassing for allegedly being on privately owned property at 5447 Main Road, Stafford, without permission: Ryan W. Caltagirone, 20, of Ellicott Street Road, East Bethany, Donald M. Fagan, 19, and Joshua T. Gilbert, 18, both of Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, and two 17-year-olds and three 16-year-olds, all from Batavia.

Katrina Le Brandes, 20, of South Main Street, Perry, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or higher. Brandes was arrested following an investigation of a reported domestic incident at 3:55 a.m. on Buckman Road, Bethany, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Daniel Roger Sumeriski, 25, of State Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, harassment, 2nd, and criminal tampering, 3rd. The charges against Sumeriski stem from an alleged domestic incident on May 18 when Sumeriski allegedly took the victim's cell phone and urinated on the interior of her car. Sumeriski was put in the Genesee County Jail where he is being held on a parole warrant.

Robert David Cummings III, 24, of Akron Road, Corfu, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, unlawful possession of marijuana and no seatbelt. Cummings was stopped at 1:34 p.m. Thursday on Bloomingdale Road, Basom, for an alleged seat belt violation. Drug paraphernalia and marijuana were allegedly found in his car. He was jailed on $100 bail. The stop was made by Deputy Chris Parker, who was assisted by Deputy Lonnie Nati and Deputy Brian Thompson with K-9 Pharaoh.

Stephen Vance Recco, 20, of Hemlock Ridge Road, Medina, is charged with criminal impersonation, improper use of a mobile phone and unlicensed operation. Recco was stopped at 4:09 p.m. on Route 77, Alabama, by Deputy Chris Parker for allegedly driving while talking on a mobile phone. Recco allegedly gave a false name and date of birth during the traffic stop.

Jason Howard Freeman, 29, of Bush Gardens, Marilla, is accused of promoting prison contraband. Freeman was allegedly found in possession of a lighter and tobacco while housed as an inmate at the Genesee County Jail.

Thomas Jesse Mullen, 45, of Thorncliff Road, Spencerport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Mullen was stopped at 11:57 p.m. Friday on North Byron Road, Elba, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Kate Elizabeth Brozic, 28, of Trimmer Road, Spencerport, was arrested on a bench warrant related to a DWI charge. Brozic was picked up by Spencerport Police and turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on a warrant out of Stafford Town Court. She was jailed on $500 bail.

Marlek E. Holmes is indicted on charges of failure to register change of address, failure to personally verify his address, disseminating indecent material to a minor, 1st degree, and endangering the welfare of a child. Holmes, a registered sex offender, is accused of not notifying authorities of his new address after relocating from 516 E. Main St., Batavia, on Feb. 19. Holmes is also accused of sending sexually explicit text messages to a 16-year-old girl in December 2010. 

Chester Dortch is indicted on a charge of aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st. Dortch is accused of driving on the Thruway in Batavia on Nov. 20 while knowing his license was suspended. Dortch reportedly had 10 prior suspensions for failure to answer and failure to pay fine.

Joshua Carney and Holly Carney are indicted on 11 counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and grand larceny, 3rd. The Carneys are accused of filing false statements related to Joshua's employment in order to receive food stamps and Medicaid. The Carneys are accused of stealing $7,453 in food stamp assistance and $6,564.14 in Medicaid.

Tonya M. Weber is indicted on a felony DWI charge and aggravated DWI, also a felony, for having a child under 15 in the car and endangering the welfare of a child. Weber is accused of driving drunk Nov. 29 in the Town of Oakfield.

Two cars were apparently shot at while driving north on Ellicott Avenue around 5 p.m., according to Batavia Police.

Both cars were hit, one having window damage and the damage report is not yet available on the second car.

Evidence indicates the shots came from the east side of the street between Washington and Park.

It hasn't been determined whether the shots came from a pellet gun or a small calibre firearm.

Anybody with information that might aid the investigation are asked to call Batavia PD at 345-6350.

UPDATE 9:33 p.m.: Sgt. John Peck said that some evidence was found in the area of 42 Ellicott Ave. and that two possible juvenile suspects have been identified. The investigation is ongoing. "It's possible other vehicles have been hit and the drivers are not even aware of it," Peck said. If any other cars were hit, or if anybody has more information, they can call Batavia PD at 345-6350.

A man who met an Oakfield woman on a bus ride from Florida to Massachusetts and then came with her to New York entered  not guilty pleas today to 51 counts of rape for allegedly having sex with the woman's underage daughter and her underage friend.

The indictment covers another 13 more charges stemming from the alleged incidents, which investigators say occurred in November and December of 2010. Raymond E. Allard is accused of engaging with sexual acts with two girls under age 15.

The alleged incidents occurred in Oakfield, the City of Batavia and the Town of Batavia.

Allard was held without bail. Judge Robert C. Noonan said Allard presented a substantial flight risk because he has no real connections to the area, is facing serious charges with a potential lengthy prison term and has a prior criminal record.

According to Det. John Dehm, Allard's prior criminal record did not include similar sexual charges, but he did appear to target his alleged victims in this case after seemingly befriending the woman and her daughter on a bus trip. 

The case remains under investigation and there may be another victim or victims, Dehm said.

The 64-count indictment includes 51 counts of rape in the second degree and 13 counts of criminal sexual act, 2nd, for allegedly engaging in oral sex with both girls.

Outside of court, Dehm said parents should be cautious with people they have just met.

"A person might appear to be extremely friendly and polite and courteous," he says, "but you just never know what their past is all about, or what they could be up to."

A Le Roy man who got in a tussle with members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force in April will go through a drug treatment program before facing a possible sentence of up to four years in prison on drug and alcohol charges.

Craig A. Tiberio-Shepherd, 21, of 22 Lathrop Ave., Le Roy, entered a guilty plea today to criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, and assault, 3rd. He also admitted to driving drunk in August 2010.

Still in police custody for today's hearing, Tiberio-Shepherd will be released under supervision to Hope Haven for rehab.

On April 21, Tiberio-Shepherd was apprehended by members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force in Batavia and found in possession of at least 1/8th of a gram of cocaine. During his arrest, he wrestled with task force members. Two detectives suffered minor cuts and scrapes.

On Aug. 14, 2010, Tiberio-Shepherd was arrested and charged with felony DWI. Just five days prior to his arrest he was convicted of DWI in Le Roy Town Court.

The drug and assault charges carry a maximum four year prison sentence and the DWI charge is a one-and-a-third to three-year sentence. As part of the plea agreement, Tiberio-Shepherd could serve the sentences concurrently.

Youngsters who get arrested for underage drinking or unlawful possession of marijuana may want to be careful about skipping court dates in the future.

Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer and Darien Town Justice Gary Graber were in Batavia today to announce the state Senate approval of a new law that would suspend the driving privileges of any person who fails to appear in court for those charges.

Graber called the current laws unenforceable because there has been no penalty for skipping court appearances. 

Because convictions for the infractions of underage drinking or unlawful possession of marijuana never include jail time, judges and justices are unable to issue warrants when a suspect doesn't appear in court.

"(The current law) encourages a lack of respect for the courts and the law and weakens the educational purposes of these laws to strongly discourage underage drinking and marijuana possession,” Ranzenhofer said. “This legislation will now give judges a remedy to the loopholes in the current law to enforce the sanctions of the court."

Graber, of course, sits in a court just down the road from Darien Lake Theme Park where, during the concert season, local law enforcement issues many citations for underage drinking and UPM.

Justices from throughout New York have been seeking a change in the law for years, Graber said.

Full press release after the jump:

Batavia, N.Y. – State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer and Darien Town Justice Gary Graber announced passage of legislation in the State Senate that grants courts the authority to suspend a driver’s license – in cases of underage possession of alcohol and unlawful possession of marijuana – when a person fails to appear before the court or comply with the sentence of the court.

If a person does not comply with the court’s sentencing or appear before the court, there is nothing the court can do and the court cannot issue a warrant since jail time is not a possible sentence.

“The current law is unenforceable. It encourages a lack of respect for the courts and the law and weakens the educational purposes of these laws to strongly discourage underage drinking and marijuana possession,” Ranzenhofer said. “This legislation will now give judges a remedy to the loopholes in the current law to enforce the sanctions of the court.  Passage of this bill in the state Senate is one step closer to ensuring judges have the right tools to enforce the law.”

An alarming number of people, in cases of possession of marijuana or underage possession of alcohol, disregard the sentence of the court by failing to pay the fine, complete an alcohol awareness program or community service. In one local court, out of 96 arrests for underage alcohol possession, six persons had failed to appear, one person has not paid his fine, two are still pending pre-trial and 35 or 30 percent have not completed their court ordered alcohol awareness program. 

The introduction of this legislation in the State Legislature occurred after the request of numerous Town Justices.  Justices from the towns of Alabama, Alexander, Bergen, Bethany, LeRoy, Oakfield and Pavilion have written to Senator Ranzenhofer in support of this legislation. 

“This legislation has been on the legislative agenda of the New York State Magistrates Association for many years. It is essential that the Town, Village and City Court Judges that handle these matters have the ability to enforce their sentences so that the education of young people in alcohol and substance abuse matters, provided in the statutes, are not ignored. We are very grateful to the sponsors and supporters of this legislation both in the Senate and Assembly as well as the treatment and prevention community,” said Graber.

“GCASA supports the work of the New York State Magistrates Association in advocating for legislation that holds offenders of our substance abuse laws accountable for not following through on court ordered sanctions.  We thank Senator Ranzenhofer and the State Senate for passing this legislation and are asking the Assembly to do the same.  This measure provides the needed tools for our judges to hold offenders accountable and make our communities healthier and safer,”  said Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Executive Director David G. Markham.

The bill (S.3188) passed the State Senate on May 17. Senator Ranzenhofer is sponsoring the bill in the State Senate.  Assemblyman Robin Schimminger is sponsoring the bill in the State Assembly.

The Swallow Hollow Nature Trail has suffered $15,000 in damage after vandals struck recently, according to WIVB.

Ten interpretive panels were removed. The vandals also overtuned a bench, toppled a port-a-john and removed other signs.

There's a $500 reward being offered by the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Inc., for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the people involved.

Wallace Eugene Urf, 33, Pavilion Center Road, Pavilion, is charged with a felony count of DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd. Urf was taken into custody at 6:05 p.m. Monday on Broadway, Darien, following a complaint of a domestic incident. Urf was allegedly found driving a car on a suspended license while intoxicated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy. Corfu Police assisted in the apprehension.

David Lawrence Popielinski, 22, of Schad Road, Alden, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. At 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, the Sheriff's Office received a complaint of a car off the road on Harlow Road, Darien. Deputy Kevin McCarthy investigated and arrested Popielinski.

Grant Arnold Sundown, 46, of Skye Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Sundown is accused of having contact with a protected person.

Summer Ogden, 35, of Porter Avenue, Batavia, and Eric Michael Duda, 49, of Route 5, Stafford, are both charged criminal contempt (Summer in the 2nd degree, Duda in the 1st). Both Ogden and Duda have orders of protection in place barring them from contacting each other. The pair was arrested at 9:41 p.m., Tuesday, when they were allegedly found together.

Joseph Charles Wind, 41, of Horseshoe Lake Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of drug paraphernalia and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Wind was stopped at 8:50 p.m. on Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Brian Thompson for allegedly driving without headlights after dusk.

Thomas Joseph Mitchell, 21, of Oak Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone), unlawful possession of marijuana and aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Mitchell was arrested following a traffic stop at 5:45 p.m., Thursday, on State Street Road, Batavia, by Deputy Brian Thompson.

Patrick Joseph Crawford, 17, of Bridge Road, Elba, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Patrick was allegedly found in possession of two firearms in his vehicle while on school grounds.

Ryan Christopher Riggi, 16, of Transit Road, Elba, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, menacing, 2nd, criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Ryan is also accused of violating an order of protection. He was jailed on $1,000 bail. No further details were released.

Robert James Caplick III, 36, of E. Main St. Road, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unreasonable speed and failure to keep right. Caplick was taken into custody by Deputy Jason Saile following a report at 2:45 a.m., Thursday, of a vehicle stuck on the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks on Spring Road, Alexander.

Erika L. Brumsted, 24, of 5079 Batavia-Bethany Townline Road, East Bethany, and Steven C. Shaw, 24, of 2692 Dunham Road, Varysburg, are charged with petit larceny. Brumsted and Shaw are accused of shoplifting from Tops Market.

Terry David Czworka, 48, of Black St. Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right, moved from lane unsafely, possession/consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Czworka was stopped at 1:19 a.m., Saturday, on Asbury Road, Pavilion, by Sgt. Brian Frieday.

Timothy John Hagen, 27, of Walden Creek, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Hagen is accused of violating and order of protection.

Brian P. O'Grady, 46, of Lymon Road, Bergen, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. O'Grady is accused of violating an order of protection. O'Grady allegedly made several phone calls to his estranged wife that did not pertain to their child.

Robert K. Geandreau, 38, of 404 Ellicott St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, failure to keep right and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. Geandreau was stopped at 7:54 p.m., Saturday, on Ellicott Street by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Brenden M. Mullen, 26, of 11 Holmes Ave., Batavia, is charged with DWI, no inspection and refusal to take a breath test. Mullen was stopped at 2:38 a.m., Saturday, by Officer Eric Dibble.

A trailer owned by an ardent Jack Davis supporter in Darien that was badly damaged in a fire on May 9 is being investigated as an arson, according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster.

But the torching is not considered a political act, Brewster said.

It's probably related to an April 1 fire in an unoccupied fire at 9427 Alexander Road, Alexander.

In both cases, holes were found in the floors of the trailers, which is consistent with somebody setting a fire and using an accelerant.

In both cases, no other cause -- electrical, natural gas, lightning, etc. -- could be uncovered.

"When there's nothing there that is believed to have been able to cause it to catch fire, then we have to look at possible human involvement," Brewster said.

No suspects have been identified.  

Brewster said investigators have little to go on -- no gas can left behind with finger prints, no witnesses, no physical evidence.

"Bottom line, unless you have something that connects somebody to that fire, you’re stuck," Brewster said. "It's very difficult. Arsons are very difficult."

Brewster said investigators have been canvassing the neighborhoods looking for witnesses.

He said there's no indication the owner of either trailer had somebody motivated to damage their property for personal reasons.

The May 9 fire was at 11198 Tinkham Road, Darien. The property is owned by Charlie Flagg, a local artist who had planted 5,000 Jack Davis signs in his yard.

"When you have a structure that is not being used and all the sudden it catches on fire, all the sudden your eyebrows are going to go up," Brewster said.

Anybody with information that might assist in the investigation are asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 343-5000.